Infra projects reviewed

The Cabinet chaired by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday, ordered the implementation of 45 development and modernisation projects, worth about BD 22 million.  Covering infrastructure and facilities and aiming to improve the quality of services delivered by the government to the citizens, the projects are within the framework of joint municipal projects nationwide.

The projects include the establishment of central markets in Jidhafs, Khalifa Town and Isa Town, the development of the traditional market in Jidhafs, installing air conditioners at the Isa Town souk, the development of services at the Riffa market, and improvement of Raya Avenue, the entrances and exits of Souq Waqif and the Industrial Area in Arad. They also include the pavement of internal roads in Zayed Town and Isa Town, the establishment of gardens and stadiums in Zallaq, Riffa, Zayed Town, Hamad Town, Umm Al Hassam, Salman Town, Al Dair, Samaheej and Hoorra, as well as the completion of the services of the Duraz Port and expanding cleaning services to include the new housing areas.

Finance and National Economy Minister gave a presentation about the mechanism to finance such a package of projects, as well as about co-ordination with the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning on them. Among other things, the Prime Minister was informed about the progress of the implementation of the integrated National Waste Management Strategy, including the recycling of demolition and construction waste, recycling of household waste and recycling of waste and converting it into energy.

Finance and National Economy Minister, and Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister gave a presentation about what has been achieved so far in this regard. HRH the Premier gave directives to beautify the area surrounding Tubli Bay, and to preserve its environment, especially the mangrove trees. The Premier also instructed to restore Tubli Bay in a way that would improve the movement of water and renew it, and ensure that sludge and sediments are discharged from it automatically. Finance and National Economy Minister, and Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister were requested to submit a joint memorandum in this regard.

The Cabinet approved a draft Environment Law to fill the legislative vacuum in the field of the environment, especially with respect to environmental waste, combating various forms of pollution and protecting society and living creatures from all environmentally harmful activities, in light of the relevant international and regional conventions which the Kingdom has ratified. The bill was referred to the Council of Representatives in accordance with the constitutional and legal procedures in force, as highlighted in the memorandum submitted in this regard by the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs and presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and committee chairman.

The session discussed expanding the terms of reference of the Frequency Spectrum Strategy and Co-ordination Committee and the addition of new representatives to its membership, as highlighted in a memorandum submitted by the Minister of Interior. The session decided to refer a draft resolution on amending Edict 50/2015 on establishing the Frequency Spectrum Strategy and Co-ordination Committee.to the Ministerial Committee for Legal and Legislative Affairs.